Insiders say there's been a dispute over an official apology set to be given at Sunday's event

Word on the street is things are getting pretty tense over at the Miss America pageant as execs prepare for the return of Vanessa Williams as head judge.

Earlier this week brought the news of the 52-year-old star heading back to the competition more than three decades after she was forced to resign due to a nude photo scandal. TMZ now reports organizers are in "crisis mode" over an official apology set to be given at Sunday's event.

From TMZ:

"Sources connected with the pageant tell TMZ, Vanessa agreed to appear at the beginning of the show where a Miss America official would apologize for forcing her to resign after the now-famous photos were unearthed. Vanessa would then be presented with a fresh crown.

But production sources tell TMZ, there was a meeting Wednesday between Vanessa's people and the organization and it all hit the fan, because the Miss America people were under the impression Vanessa would apologize for her actions, and then they would give her the crown.

It seems almost ridiculous pageant officials would think Vanessa would fall on the sword, but that's the case."

Sources add that the two sides were still in a standoff Thursday night. But a decision will need to be made fast, as commercials promoting Williams' return are already in motion.